I was going to start talking about decorating next, but then I realized I hadn’t discussed WHERE the wedding was going to be held! So, let’s talk about that now, shall we? Do you want a traditional church wedding? How about something outdoors at a scenic lake or mountains?  What about the beach?  There are probably hundreds of different locations to have a wedding ceremony, and all of them will have their own sets of fees, rules and regulations that will need to be researched and addressed long before the wedding date.  So this is one thing you definitely need to plan well ahead for!

Traditionally, weddings were, and still are, held in churches and in chapels.  Often if you chose this route, the fees for the officiating minister or pastor, as well as music, flowers and a few photographs, can be included in the fee to rent the location for your wedding ceremony.  If you are not particularly picky about exactly what kind of flower you absolutely MUST have at your wedding, and you want a church or chapel wedding ceremony, then this may be the most cost efficient route for you.  And sometimes, if the church or chapel rents out their dining hall for receptions, you can probably get such a package for a better deal than taking your reception to an off-site location.  It all depends on the facilities available at the particular church or chapel you are interested in, so be sure to make a list of questions and have them ready when you call to inquire about their wedding ceremony services.

In more recent years, it is becoming ever more popular to hold weddings at places other than a church or chapel, particularly for those who are not the church-going type and would prefer to have their wedding ceremony elsewhere.  Resorts are quite popular locations where many people have both their wedding ceremonies and receptions at.  Some people even chose to have their wedding ceremony at museums, amusement parks and civic centers.  And let’s not forget about the beach!  The downside to many of these exciting places is the cost – most if not all of these locations, are going to be quite a bit on the pricey side, and therefore not a budget-wise location to have your wedding ceremony.  Still, it probably does not hurt to call around just to see what kind of rates and packages these types of places may have.  Some of the smaller hotels or bed & breakfast type of facilities could still fit within your budget and would be more personal than at an amusement park.

Then there is another option, which can save you loads of money – having your wedding ceremony in your backyard (or the nice yard of a friend or family member, if they are willing).  This is the option that my husband and I, and before us, my husband’s brother & his wife, took – the guys’ mother graciously allowed us to use her back yard for the wedding ceremony.  I think this alone probably saved us no less than $500. So if your yard, or that of a family member or friend, could potentially be a prime location to have your wedding ceremony, certainly don’t discount the idea.  And what could be more personal and quaint than a nice back yard wedding ceremony?